A Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review—the utility’s deep-dive on technical and cost impacts of your project.

Challenge: Frequent false tripping using conventional electromechanical relays
Solution: SEL-487E integration with multi-terminal differential protection and dynamic inrush restraint
Result: 90% reduction in false trips, saving over $250,000 in downtime

Transmission Engineering Solutions in the ComEd and PJM Territories: Powering The Future

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April 26, 2025 | Blog

Two maps: US map showing regions in color and a zoomed-in red region in the Midwest.

As the Midwest’s power grid evolves to meet growing demand, aging infrastructure, and renewable energy integration, ComEd’s Supplemental Projects provide a roadmap for proactive transmission upgrades. These initiatives, aligned with the PJM M-3 planning process, highlight an urgent need for innovative electrical engineering solutions — and Keentel Engineering is ready to lead the charge.

Within the ComEd PJM footprint, Keentel transmission engineering services support utilities and developers addressing reliability, capacity expansion, and large-load interconnection challenges. Keentel Engineering transmission services are structured to align with regional planning processes while meeting evolving technical and regulatory expectations.

Why ComEd’s Supplemental Projects Matter

During the March 4, 2025, TEAC Western Committee meeting, ComEd shared critical infrastructure updates across Illinois. The primary drivers behind these projects include:

  • Aging and Obsolete Equipment
  • Customer Load Growth and Interconnection Demands
  • Regional Congestion and Reliability Risks Identified by MISO

At Keentel Engineering, we recognize that expert transmission engineering is essential to delivering safe, reliable, and future-ready power systems — and we are proud to serve as a trusted partner in this transformation.

Many of these initiatives require detailed relay protection studies for PJM systems to ensure coordination, selectivity, and dependable operation under evolving fault levels. Keentel Engineering relay services integrate protection design with system studies to support reliable transmission operation across interconnected networks.

Project Highlights & Keentel’s Engineering Contributions

Dresden 345kV Breaker Replacement (ComEd-2024-017)

  • Challenge: Oil circuit breakers from 1968 are obsolete and unmaintainable.
  • Keentel’s Role:
  • Condition assessment
  • SF₆ breaker specification
  • Procurement support
  • Field commissioning assistance
  • Upgrade Details:
  • Existing: 1600A, 40kA breakers
  • Replacement: 3000A, 63kA SF₆ breakers
  • Value Delivered: Increased system capacity, reduced maintenance, enhanced reliability.

    This upgrade reflects IEEE-compliant EHV engineering practices, addressing increased short-circuit duty, equipment aging, and long-term     operational reliability within a constrained transmission environment.

Plano Area Transmission for Large Load Interconnection (ComEd-2024-015)

  • Challenge: A new customer requires up to 600 MW of load capacity by 2029.
  • Keentel’s Role:
  • 345kV line extensions
  • Eldamain Substation design
  • Protection, control, and interconnection studies
  • Regulatory and permitting support
  • Scope:
  • New 345kV ring bus expandable to breaker-and-a-half.
  • Radial leads connecting to customer facilities.

    Projects of this scale often intersect with ComEd solar interconnection and large-load integration requirements, requiring close coordination between transmission planning, protection design, and interconnection studies.

MISO LRTP Tranche 2.1 Integration (ComEd-2024-023)

  • Challenge: Long-range transmission planning (LRTP) from MISO demands 765kV grid reinforcements.
  • Key Upgrades:
  • Expansion of Collins 765kV substation
  • Two new 765kV transmission lines connecting MISO
  • 300 MVAR reactors installation
  • Woodford County substation development
  • Total Estimated Investment: $874.2 million
  • Keentel’s Expertise:
  • Conceptual and detailed 765kV/345kV system design
  • Grounding studies, bus layouts, and surge protection
  • Full NERC, PJM, and MISO compliance

    MISO LRTP Tranche 2.1 projects represent a significant shift toward long-term regional transmission planning, requiring coordinated execution across PJM, MISO, and local     utility territories.

Keentel Engineering: Trusted Partner for Transmission Excellence

With 30+ years of experience in high-voltage (HV) and extra-high voltage (EHV) engineering, Keentel Engineering is a reliable partner for utilities and developers in the PJM and ComEd territories.

Our Core Transmission Services Include:

  • Transmission Line Design (345kV–765kV)
  • Substation Design (Ring Bus, Breaker-and-a-Half, GIS)
  • Relay Protection and Control System Engineering
  • Grid Interconnection Studies
  • Owner’s Engineering and QA/QC Oversight
  • Regulatory Filing Support (PJM, FERC, NERC)

Explore more about our Substation Design Services.

As a trusted provider of Keentel Engineering transmission services, our teams deliver integrated solutions that span concept development through commissioning, ensuring technical rigor and regulatory alignment at every stage.

Let’s Power the Future Together

As ComEd modernizes its transmission network alongside PJM and MISO, the need for specialized, forward-thinking engineering services is greater than ever.
Keentel Engineering stands ready to ensure your grid projects are safe, scalable, and built for the future

📞 Call us at 813-389-7871
🌐 Visit to start your project with our expert team!

Frequently Asked Questions – ComEd & PJM Transmission Engineering

General & Strategic

  • 1. What role does Keentel Engineering play in ComEd or PJM transmission projects?

    Keentel delivers design, relay protection, system studies, interconnection support, and regulatory compliance for HV/EHV projects.

  • 2. How does Keentel assist utilities with aging infrastructure replacements?

    We assess aging assets, recommend SF₆ upgrades, and manage procurement and commissioning phases.

  • 3. Is Keentel experienced with the PJM M-3 planning process?

    Yes, we actively participate in PJM’s M-3 process, including need assessments, solution development, and Do-No-Harm (DNH) analyses.

  • 4. Can Keentel design and route transmission lines?

    Absolutely. We offer full routing analysis, conductor selection, and structure design compliant with PJM and NESC standards.

  • 5. Can you support high-voltage substation expansions like Collins 765kV?

    Yes. We provide bus layouts, equipment specifications, grounding design, and grid operator coordination.

Case Study: Smart Load Forecasting for a Solar + BESS Community

Client: Midwest Utility
Challenge: 70% residential PV + BESS adoption created “invisible” net loads.
Solution: Deployed hybrid LSTM + SVM forecasting integrated with transformer current data; anomaly detection flagged high nighttime crypto loads.

Outcome:

  • 90%+ accuracy (RMSE < 5%)
  • Early detection of two anomalous sites
  • Optimized local demand response and BESS dispatch plans

Related Services

Utility-Scale BESS Engineering — End-to-end design and integration of grid-connected battery systems.

Power System Studies — Comprehensive load flow, stability, and contingency analysis for DER-rich networks.

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About the Author:

Sonny Patel P.E. EC

IEEE Senior Member

In 1995, Sandip (Sonny) R. Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, specializing in Electrical Engineering . But degrees don’t build legacies—action does. For three decades, he’s been shaping the future of engineering, not just as a licensed Professional Engineer across multiple states (Florida, California, New York, West Virginia, and Minnesota), but as a doer. A builder. A leader. Not just an engineer. A Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida with an Unlimited EC license. Not just an executive. The founder and CEO of KEENTEL LLC—where expertise meets execution. Three decades. Multiple states. Endless impact.

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Let's Discuss Your Project

Let's book a call to discuss your electrical engineering project that we can help you with.

Man in a blazer and open shirt, looking at the camera, against a blurred background.

About the Author:

Sonny Patel P.E. EC

IEEE Senior Member

In 1995, Sandip (Sonny) R. Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, specializing in Electrical Engineering . But degrees don’t build legacies—action does. For three decades, he’s been shaping the future of engineering, not just as a licensed Professional Engineer across multiple states (Florida, California, New York, West Virginia, and Minnesota), but as a doer. A builder. A leader. Not just an engineer. A Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida with an Unlimited EC license. Not just an executive. The founder and CEO of KEENTEL LLC—where expertise meets execution. Three decades. Multiple states. Endless impact.

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